MS3 Quirks

[Kama'aina]

Hey everyone, I just purchased a black mica '09 MS3 and I'm absolutely loving it. I've only put 500 miles on it so I'm still learning the car's quirks.

When i'm idling with the car stopped and turn the steering wheel slightly, the purr from the exhaust becomes noisier. Why does it do this?

Are there any other idiosyncrasies to the MS3 that I've yet to discover?

 

[SHaW]

That happens to me too when I am idling and I turn the wheel a bit, it seems to make it sound louder...

 

[schmitty]

Are you sure you aren't hearing the power-steering pump?

 

[iheartmyhatchie]

Well turning the wheel plays with the idle...
Also eventually you'll get weird creeks when it's cold outside.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

*face in palm*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_steering

Read up please.

 

[Circle9]

(hand) x 2

 

[Stamperman]

Are there any other idiosyncrasies to the MS3 that I've yet to discover?

Yeah, don't touch the metal part of your shift knob after your car has been out in the sun all day......

 

[micronesia]

You can end up in third instead of first. Shifter has some other problems as well.

Actually I had no problems until I just noticed my car takes an extra second or so to start up when cold (noticed a couple of days ago)... not sure what that is.

 

[oaklandopen]

If you shut the engine off after drving a while and its a hot day you fan might come on afterwards...normal

If have a gt the auto wipers suck, and the only settings for the vents that wont run the AC compressor are the face and face+floor combo

 

[happy and angry]

What you are hearing is a combination of the engine under load and the power steering pump. When you turn the wheel the pump engages, and since it derives power from the motor, the engine is slightly loaded.

Try it again next time you're at a light and check your RPM gauge. You'll notice the needle spike down slightly.

 

[Wastegate13]

If you shut the engine off after drving a while and its a hot day you fan might come on afterwards...normal

If have a gt the auto wipers suck, and the only settings for the vents that wont run the AC compressor are the face and face+floor combo

The auto wipers are amazing in every scenario except after it rains and other cars spit mist onto the windshield. The sensor relies on movement of water over the glass to operate the wipers so the light mist is usually not enough to set it off.

 

[SayNoToPistons]

When you roll your windows up, make sure your head isnt sticking out, otherwise your head/neck might get caught.

 

[Invictus]

If have a gt the auto wipers suck

Not for me. They work pretty damn flawlessly.

 

[micronesia]

My autowipers work pretty well. 95% of the time I can just keep them on auto.

When you roll your windows up, make sure your head isnt sticking out, otherwise your head/neck might get caught.

lol!

 

[Peter B]

I have noticed on a few occasions, the car has the ability to make women shed their clothing? Anyone else get that?

Also for some reason passengers tend to scream alot, grab on to things and yell things like "holy sh*t", or "OH MY GOD" . Doesn't happen in other cars I drive, just my MS3. I talked to the dealer and he said it was normal, but if it bothered me he could help me replace my passengers.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

Also for some reason passengers tend to scream alot, grab on to things and yell things like "holy sh*t", or "OH MY GOD" . Doesn't happen in other cars I drive, just my MS3. I talked to the dealer and he said it was normal, but if it bothered me he could help me replace my passengers.

I get that too sometimes but its different noises like "Oh, the torque!" "Mother of Jesus!" and sometimes, "I think I soiled myself!" I suggest a passenger swap... helped me out a ton.

As for the power steering thing... sometimes when I have the windows down and am straghtening the car out and the power steering revs the engine I yell, "POWER STEERING!" I know, I'm wierd, you don't have to tell me twice.

Quirks... hmmm... I don't know about quirks, but some random facts I've learned:
-The OEM wheels get dirty QUICK
-The OEM wipers are really streaky (maybe I need mine replaced?)
-The shifter is really vague and rubbery
-Mileage is usually better than the expected EPA estimates (that's what I've found)
-The OEM Potenza tires are nice, but cost $215 to replace
-Revving past 5,500 RPM is useless
... just some random facts a newbie owner should know...

WELCOME!

 

[skrappyyy]

If you shut the engine off after drving a while and its a hot day you fan might come on afterwards...normal

If have a gt the auto wipers suck, and the only settings for the vents that wont run the AC compressor are the face and face+floor combo

What if you just run the air in cabin recirculation mode?

 

[BillTheCat]

What if you just run the air in cabin recirculation mode?

Recirculation mode has nothing to do with the compressor kicking in. It's all about the vent settings.

 

[Kama'aina]

What you are hearing is a combination of the engine under load and the power steering pump. When you turn the wheel the pump engages, and since it derives power from the motor, the engine is slightly loaded.

Try it again next time you're at a light and check your RPM gauge. You'll notice the needle spike down slightly.

Thanks for the explanation.

To add to the list..

-I find the clutch has a quirky feel (to me).

-Everyone that's ridden in my car has not only been impressed with the car's speed, but also the enormity of its glovebox.

-Although I'm not sure why, one of my favorite things about this car is the sound the doors make when you shut them.

 

[mr_mazda329]

Although I'm not sure why, one of my favorite things about this car is the sound the doors make when you shut them.

I like that sound too...